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The pandemic babies starting school

Tens of thousands of children born during lockdown have their first day at school this week. But what impact did the pandemic have on their talking and thinking skills?

Tens of thousands of children born during the Covid-19 lockdown will start school this week. Their teachers are preparing to support a unique cohort of pupils with a variety of needs: they might struggle to communicate, or still be in nappies, or require other specific adjustments.

In this episode of 5 Minutes On, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's education reporter Vanessa Clarke has been to an infants school in London to find out how parents and teachers are preparing for a first-day-at-school like no other. Plus, she speaks to researchers behind a study looking at the impact that the pandemic has had on children's talking and thinking skills.

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6 minutes